When Boy Scout Michael Hannafin decided on an Eagle Scout project in Troop 825, it was something that the city and its four-legged occupants could enjoy.

Michael’s goal is to establish a dog park on a small corner of LeRoy Jackson Park not far from the Maturango Museum. The plot of land has long been identified as the spot for such a use on Kern County’s parks office.

“When we had to think of a Eagle Scout project, we were going through a list of ideas and this one popped up,” Michael’s said Thursday evening. “I really liked it because I really like dogs, I have some dogs at home and we don’t have a dog park in the community. It would be a nice thing to have.”

Michael has been planning it for the last few months, approaching the Kern County Parks and Recreation Department for its support before moving forward with it as an Eagle Scout project. Fundraising began in March.

“We haven’t broken ground yet, but we hope to probably do that early summer after the school year ends,” Michael said.

As an Eagle Scout project, Michael had to go through a list of requirements to have it approved, including the county’s approval.

“It went very well,” Michael said. “We were a little worried at first, but everyone was very supportive and very willing to help.”

Cheryl, Michael’s mother and a large supporter of her son’s project, said the list of supporters and people helping have been long, including the county parks department, Denny Kline, field representative from First District Supervisor Mick Gleason’s office, Scott Wood from Desert Dog Pet Store, and Mary Stage from the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter.

“We’ve received a very positive feedback from them and their approval on the project,” Cheryl said.

The Hannafins have scoured the area for bids on the project from local companies, and are looking at raising $10,000 before they break ground.

“We’ve raised over $3,000 in donations and pledges, and over a $1,000 already deposited into a designated park,” Cheryl said.

Donations are being filed with the IWV Humane Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization linked to the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter.

The park would provide an off-leash area, divided into an area for small dogs and one for large dogs. The park will be fenced off with double gates for access, and fitted with benches, water, trash cans and waste bag stations.

Cheryl and Michael listed plenty of benefits a dog park could do for the community and its human and canine residents.

Page 2 of 2 - “I think it’s going to make a lasting impression on the community,” Cheryl said. “Dog parks are a thing all over the country, we just don’t have one in Ridgecrest.”

Cheryl noted that the benefits are inclusive for dog owners and dogs as a place to socialize and meet up, especially when the city has a on-leash policy for its canines in public areas.

“When we were doing some of our reading about dogs off-leash, it turns out it promotes some of the city laws by not having dogs off-leash in city property,” Cheryl said. “Here’s a place where you can bring them off-leash.

Streamlined process

“When we talked to the county about it, they already had land set aside for it,” Michael said.

Kline, Gleason’s field rep, said Friday that the project fell right in line with earlier plans that fell to the wayside because of budgetary constraints.

“Bob Lerude and the county parks commission was challenged last time they were in Ridgecrest why there wasn’t a dog park,” Kline said. “There are no dog-designated areas in any of the county parks. Bob wanted Ridgecrest to be the first.”

However, the area had already been designated, and with Kern County Parks able to handle all of its permitting processing in house, it provided a streamlined effort.

“This was a remarkable and serendipitous project Michael has decided to take on,” Kline said. “I continue to be impressed with both him and Cheryl. I have every confidence they will succeed.”

There are a few hurdles, such as raising the $10,000 they would like before breaking ground, piping potable water over to the area from another section of the park, and then breaking ground. While Kern County Parks has signed off on the project, it still needs final design approval and a lot of hard work.

But they remain optimistic, a symptom that makes for a successful project.

“It’s been a lot of work going around to different businesses, and obviously will be a lot more work once we break ground,” Michael said. “But I’m looking forward to when we have everything done and we finally break ground, that we will have such a huge confidence boost that things will go by pretty easily.”

Donations can be dropped off at The Ridgecrest Animal Shelter at 411 San Bernardino Blvd. or Desert Dog Pet Store at 211 N. Balsam St. Donations by check should be made out to Indian Wells Valley Humane Society. Tax deductible receipts are available upon request.

For more information on the project itself, visit www.desertdogpetstore.com/index.php/dog-park.